European Court of Justice Ruling Has Far-Reaching Implications, Say Lawyers

BRUSSELS—Cartel members may be held liable for price increases by companies that weren't involved in the cartel but benefited from its "umbrella" of inflated prices, the European Union's top court said Thursday.

The ruling, by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, means companies can claim compensation in Europe from cartel members even if they had no contractual links with them. Lawyers said the decision has...